I was very honoured to be elected, first as Deputy and then as Mayor of Cambridge. Being part of the rich history of a city as great as Cambridge was exciting but also daunting. I am also only the 18th female Mayor of Cambridge and followed in the footsteps of some incredibly brilliant women.
A year as Mayor
Posted:
08 Oct 2026
Person wearing ceremonial robes and a gold chain sits in a high-backed chair in a wood-panelled room.
I’m a musician by training and came to Cambridge in 2000 to teach at Long Road Sixth Form College alongside my husband Adam, who was Head of Performing Arts. We both studied for a Masters in Education at Trinity Hall. The College was so welcoming and supportive, and we still come regularly to evensong and High Table and keep in touch.
Feeling part of the University gave me confidence to take on a post in the Computer Science Department managing the Computer Science Tripos, and also to stand as Councillor for Romsey Ward, where I live. Local politics has always been a passion for me and, in particular, community arts and culture. I grew up in London in Waltham Forest where the philosophy of William Morris still underpins the council’s ethos. Arts and culture should be accessible to all.
My Masters was in music education research, looking at the provision of instrumental teaching in schools and the impact of funding cuts and charges on quality and participation. My experience had been provision of a free instrument and tuition and it was evident that pupil opportunities have diminished drastically. My studies reinforced my belief that the provision of accessible arts, culture and community music is essential and should be encouraged and supported.
Adam and I formed the Academy of Great St Mary’s Orchestra, which Adam conducts and in which I play flute. The orchestra has flourished and many of the players are members of the University who treasure the experience of making music as a relaxation and respite from their busy academic lives.
We also founded the Romsey Music Project and organise free monthly lunchtime recitals in varied styles, giving residents enjoyable music without the hassle of getting into the centre of town.
The Mayor of Cambridge is now a civic rather than a political role, usually awarded to a long-serving councillor with a strong community focus. There has been a Mayor of Cambridge since the time of King John, and Cambridge town and the University have always been closely intertwined, though not always happily! The historical tales of the relationship make fascinating reading but I’m pleased to say that it is now very positive.
As you would expect, my mayorship theme focused on arts and culture. Cambridge is a very diverse and international city and bringing people together through sharing music and traditions gives a sense of wellbeing, place and belonging. The figure of the Mayor as first citizen is universally welcomed.
No week was the same and I attended a huge number of widely differing events. Someone once said to me:
Strong communities are built in the confidence of finding a welcome. Sharing in cultural events from ‘Little Bulgaria’ to a celebration of African food and crafts, Christmas celebrations across the city and amazing Chinese New Year and Dragon Boat festivals all make Cambridge such a wonderful place to live and study.
The Mayor is also there to support those who have come to Cambridge for refuge and I joined events for Ukrainian families, for Afghan women and others, and helped to make them feel welcome. The number of charities who offer support in Cambridge is astounding, as are the people who freely give so much of their time and talents to support people in need.
There were many exciting official events and commemorations during my term of office. We celebrated 80 years on since VE and VJ day, 75 years since Cambridge became a city, and 60 years twinned with Heidelburg with mayoral exchange visits. Mayor Würzner was bowled over by King’s College Chapel and viewing the solar panels on the roof. I also attended the installation of the new Chancellor, Lord Chris Smith, and the awarding of an honorary doctorate to Stormzy for his generous scholarship programme which has supported 56 Black students to date with full tuition and living costs. It was so exciting to read a lesson at the famous King’s College Carols service!
Whilst Deputy Mayor, I gave a welcome speech to delegates from India at a conference held by Addenbrookes’ Department of Clinical Neurosciences and I chose them as my Mayor’s charity. As the premier cycling city of the UK, it seemed to me very appropriate to help raise awareness of the work they do on neurotrauma and the importance of safety and wearing a cycle helmet.
The extensive role of the armed forces in Cambridgeshire came as a surprise to me and it was an honour to meet and work with so many dedicated people including our High Sheriff and Lord Lieutenant. I awarded the freedom of the city to HMS Protector of the British Antarctic Survey and met the crew and officers.
Learning about the rich history of the city has been fascinating. A sort out in the Guildhall basement unearthed a cabinet with an astonishing collection of royal writs and charters, one from every monarch since Henry 1. The Mayor also chairs full City Council meetings and on my desk was a gavel for controlling rowdy behaviour amongst councillors, which fortunately I never needed to use! Closer scrutiny revealed an inscription. Crafted from the timber of the famous Washington Elm under which George Washington made his declaration of independence, the gavel was presented to the Mayor of Cambridge in the 19th century by the Mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts, presumably as a peace offering and a symbol of friendship. My final engagement as Mayor before handing over to my successor was to fly over Cambridge courtesy of Marshall’s Airport and being allowed to take the plane’s controls.
It has been a perfect year and one I shall never forget.
Feature image: Taken by Keith Heppell of Dinah Pounds during her time as Mayor of Cambridge.